Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1887-11-17
LUCY'S GUARDIAN.
The Brief Story of a Wife's Sal
walton.


walton.
"You will-er--stay and-and meet
MIR. Rochdale, my dear, will you
not?"
well, no, papa" replied Edith Las
celles, IN meditative fashion, 81
don't think will. You see, my posi-
ton is peculiar one. l have no hest
tation in saying that l find it a disa-
greeable one also. suppose if were
like heroine of romance l should feel
avid excitement and a strange thrill,
etc.. ETC., at meeting the man who is
to be my husband, but who is utterly
unknown to me; but not being hero
Inc at all, these feelings are wanting"
"Of course, my DEAR" Mr.. Lascelles
observed, tritle nervously, "you know
you can refuse him if you like, but you
are so sensible, and"
Eyes" cut in the girl, decisively,
"and shall lose five thousand a year,
shan't l? Well, l tell you fatty, papa,
/ shall lose the five thousand most GER
tainly if l don't like the man."
"Then you intend to let the money
slip from you altogether. In plain
words, you refuse
Edith shook her head
81 never do any thing in hurry"
she determined, and glance at her
pretty, firm mouth bore testimony to
her words; "but you did not tell me,
papa, what induced Aunt Maria to
choose this Mr.. Rochdale more than
any other person.
"She was in love with his father
years ago. At least, believe so, my
dear, and So"
II understand. Edith's lip curled
in sheer; delightfully."- sentimental
and deplorably vulgar"
Two days later Edith found herself
ensconced in the suggest corner of
pretty Mrs. Dalton's drawing room.
She was very fond of Lucy; they had
been firm friends in their childish DAYS
and Mrs. Dalton had the greatest re-
spect for the tall, handsome girl who
was so far her superior in brains. The
last time they had met had been in
Paris, when Edith was introduced to
Lucy's husband, one of the kindest-
hearted men in the world-a drysalter,
or soapboiler, or some such myster-
ious and consequently wealthy person
and to the golden-haired child the
very image of her mother and the idol
of the household.
You are looking pale, Lucy"
Edith remarked, as she stitched vigor-
ously at her work-she was never idle
moment
Lucy suddenly belied the suggestion
by coloring wildly, almost painfully.
a am very well, DEAR" she an
swered; and Edith's quick ear caught
the faintest trace of annoyance in the
pretty voice.
She pondered little over this, and
by and by Mrs. Dalton rose hurriedly.
"You won't mind, Edith, if | leave
you for half an hour, will youP
must go to Dents; they have not sent
home the things l ordered"
"Let me goP" Edith put down hel
work. "You know you have been out
this morning, and Herbert does moi
like to see you tired when he comes
home"
80, the drive won't hurt me, and
would rather go myself, the people ar,
so stupid. know you won't be dull
there is pile of new books and baby
will come down if you would care tc
have her."
Edith stared at the fire when alone
'If it was not too absurd" she sale
TO herself, as she recalled the nervous
ness and haste with which her frienC
had spoken, 81 should imagine thai
Lucy did not care about my being will
her just now, She made me very
welcome, certainly; but she seems
changed, and l don't know exactly
where or how! Perhaps she is ill. Sh'
may say what she likes, but she look
wretched. Ifso, l am very glad l hav,
come. She is an emotional creature
and would probably have becom,
wretched and depressed while Herber
is away"
Just about six o'clock Mrs. Daltol
returned.
'Is Herbert IMP" she ashed. as sh,
threw off her mantle and united he
bonnet-strings. There was the faint
est flush on either cheek that nigh
have been caused by the autumna
wind, but seemed to rise from sup
pressed excitement
Decidedly, Lucy is ill.," Edith de
termined, as she replied in the mega
tive; but she said nothing, only re
solved that during Mr.. Dalton's forth
coming absence she would take he
friend in hand and doctor her. =